Rachel Burkheimer Was Forced To Watch Her Own Grave Being Dug Before Her Murder

11 May

Rachel Burkheimer before her brutal murder in 2002

On September 23, 2002, 18-year-old Rachel Burkheimer, was forced to watch her own grave being dug by her ex-boyfriend and his gang in foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

Who was Rachel Burkheimer

Rachel Burkheimer resided, worked, and attended high school within the vast expanse of the Tulalip Reservation, spanning over 22,000 acres in Snohomish County, near Everett, Washington.

According to her father, Bill Burkheimer, Rachel's extensive social circles and wide-reaching connections were beyond his ability to keep track of. During Rachel's early years, her parents harbored concerns about her hearing, as she remained nonverbal until nearly reaching the age of three.

Once she found her voice however, it seemed as though a floodgate had opened. With a vivid imagination, she excelled at mimicking others and possessed a repertoire of amusing voices that brought endless joy and entertainment to her family.

Rachel Burkheimer was an enchanting young lady who possessed a delightful sense of humor, a generous spirit, and a mischievous streak. Her radiant smile had the power to illuminate any space, and she had a remarkable knack for remembering birthdays, often surprising her loved ones with heartfelt cards expressing her love for them.

Her sociable nature effortlessly attracted friendships, as she was known for her ability to connect with others.

Despite her petite stature of just 4 feet 11 inches, Rachel possessed a tremendous sense of might and independence, as attested by her friends. She had a penchant for wearing four-inch heels wherever she went, and her makeup kit was the size of a toolbox. With her infectious smile and striking bright blue eyes, she effortlessly caught the attention of those around her.

Tragedy Strikes Rachel Burkheimer

In August 2001, Rachel experienced a devastating loss when her dear friend Cory Haynes was tragically killed in a harrowing car accident. His sudden passing deeply affected her, leading her to find solace in preserving his memory.

She adorned her Subaru dashboard and the walls of her bedroom with photographs of Cory, as a way to keep his presence close. She hung his obituary on her bedroom wall as a heartfelt tribute.

Rachel was further struck by a series of tragedies following Cory's untimely demise, intensifying her depression and sense of loss. Over the course of the following year, she experienced the loss of six more friends through accidents, drowning, suicide, and accidental shootings. In spite of this, Rachel's family firmly believes that it was Cory's death that truly devastated her.

Despite not sharing a romantic relationship, Cory and Rachel had been inseparable for years. Rachel confided in her family that he understood her better than anyone else in the world.

Rachel's emotional state deteriorated severely, prompting her parents to seek help from a therapist in the hopes of alleviating her suffering.

She made the decision to leave Marysville-Pilchuck High School and enrolled in an alternative school, but her time there was short-lived. She briefly continued working at Jimmy's Pizza and Pasta but soon departed from that job as well. Rachel had lost her sense of direction and purpose.

Rachel’s downward trajectory led her towards the use of cocaine and methamphetamine. Rachel's father became increasingly concerned about her aimlessness and confronted her on multiple occasions, ultimately urging her to either secure employment or return to school.

Rachel Burkheimer Becomes Involved with John “Diggy” Anderson

John "Diggy" Anderson, the ex-boyfriend of Rachel Burkheimer.

As Rachel's life began to unravel, she found herself gravitating towards a dubious circle of individuals. Among them was John "Diggy" Anderson, a person with a criminal history and reported affiliation with a gang, according to local authorities.

Detective Brad Pince of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office described the gang as being in its early stages with a rather foolish name, the "Northwest Mafia." Their activities primarily revolved around drug theft, with some drugs being sold while the majority was consumed by the group. They lacked any other aspirations in life and spent their time engaged in activities such as playing video games, using drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and indulging in partying.

Bill Burkheimer, Rachel's father, discovered her association with Anderson when he received an unexpected bill of $640 from the phone company. The bill revealed that a significant number of calls originated from the Correctional Facility located in Shelton, Washington.

Anderson was obsessed with Rachel and his infactuation escalated to the point where he began sending her obsessive letters, revealing his dangerously jealous nature. Concerned about Rachel's well-being, her father confronted her, but she insisted that there was goodness in Anderson and that he was not what others believed him to be.

Both friends and family of Rachel viewed her relationship with Anderson as toxic and abusive. His jealousy consumed him to such an extent that he would sniff Rachel's hair and clothing, searching for signs of her interaction with other men. He frequently made threats towards her, and Rachel's sister Meghan recalled witnessing bruises on her.

Rachel's family attested that she was finally starting to realize the true nature of her situation shortly before her untimely death. Meghan recounted a conversation where Rachel sat on the edge of her bed, expressing her fears and concerns about John Anderson and the various threats he had made against her. Rachel had reached a breaking point and had begun forming new connections with her family while reclaiming her own life.

Bill shared that one beautiful Sunday morning, Rachel sat on their porch, emanating a radiant glow that had been absent for several months. Looking up, she excitedly explained that she had met an amazing new friend named Maurice.

Maurice Rivas, was an 18-year-old who was also involved with the Northwest Mafia, confided in Rachel about his desire to break free from the group. Together, they formed a strong bond fueled by their shared determination to escape their circumstances. Unfortunately, John Anderson wouldn't allow that day to pass without turmoil, leading Rivas to make the most crucial decision of his life. In an attempt to turn other gang members against Rachel, Anderson falsely claimed that she was revealing "gang secrets" to her friends. This revelation instilled deep fear in Rachel, prompting her to seek guidance from her sister, Meghan.

"I warned her, 'You need to be careful and watchful. Stay away from him'" Meghan recalled. Meghan thought Anderson was all talk and didn't fully grasp the gravity of the threats at that time.

The Northwest Mafia Attack Rachel Burkheimer

Youtuber Elanor Neale covers the story of the murder of Rachel Burkheimer

In the depths of a chilly September evening in 2002, a party unfolded in Everett, shrouded in an air of uncertainty. Rachel, accompanied by seven members of the notorious Northwest Mafia, found herself amidst a gathering that held both familiar faces and lingering tension.

Her presence was not solely fueled by the desire to reconnect with friends, but also to prove that she had not deceived them.

The atmosphere took a sudden turn when John “Diggy” Anderson, unexpectedly showed up at the party. Laughter filled the room as the group engaged in light-hearted conversations, enveloped in the haze of marijuana smoke.

Anderson bursts into the party, his fury ignited by the sight of everyone enjoying themselves." Fueled by his rage, he proceeded to physically assault a couple of party attendees, casting a chilling silence over the room.

Tensions escalated rapidly, and Rachel, recognizing the imminent danger, attempted to flee. Her desperate bid for escape would be cruelly thwarted by Anderson delivering a brutal blow to her face that sent her crashing to the floor. Several others joined in, launching a savage assault on Rachel.

The room descended into chaos as merciless kicks targeted her defenseless body, particularly her head. One member of the group ordered the stereo to be cranked up to drown out Rachel's cries for help.

Disoriented and in excruciating pain, she was forcibly carried away to the confines of the garage, where her captors bound her with a gag and tape.

Upon returning from her nursing classes at Everett Community College, Trissa Conner, the girlfriend of one of the gang members and the owner of the house, was horrified to find Rachel on the floor of her garage.

Reacting swiftly, Trissa hurried back to the kitchen, intending to retrieve a knife in order to free Rachel from her restraints.

Anderson stepped in and thwarted Trissa's attempt to rescue Rachel. With each passing moment, Rachel's chances of survival grew increasingly slim, her flickering hope overshadowed by the grim reality unfolding before her.

Anderson yelled at Trissa telling her to leace, and as she went, the sounds of a brutal assault reached her ears. In the aftermath, she witnessed the harrowing sight of the men forcibly cramming Rachel into a sizable black duffel bag, before callously loading her into the rear of a Jeep.

Rachel Burkheimer is murdered by John “Diggy” Anderson and the Northwest Mafia

Anderson, Maurice, and two other gang members set off on a chilling 30-mile journey into the mountains. What made it even more gut-wrenching was the fact that Maurice, whom Rachel trusted with her life, had become part of her kidnapping crew.

According to the police, the gang initially talked about finding a hotel room to give Rachel some time to recover. But as fate would have it, their plans took a sinister turn.

Once they reached the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Anderson and the others left to grab shovels. The gang left Maurice behind to watch over Rachel.

Alone in the wilderness, Rachel poured her heart out to Maurice, desperately pleading for her life. She confessed she had always been afraid of meeting a tragic end in the mountains near Seattle and begged him not to let her die. But Maurice, blinded by loyalty to Anderson and the Northwest Mafia, dismissed her pleas.

Rachel, trapped within the duffel bag, made desperate noises that pierced the night, a feeble cry for salvation.

As they reached their destination, John Anderson, wielded a shovel with merciless force, striking the bag that contained Rachel.

While Rivas remained in the car, casually sipping his soda and puffing on a cigarette, Anderson commanded him to join the grim task at hand. Obliging without hesitation, Rivas emerged from the vehicle, becoming a somewhat reluctant participant in the unfolding tragedy.

Another member of the gang was instructed to free Rachel from her confining bag, stripping her of every trace of identity, robbing her of her clothes and precious jewelry. Despite Rachel's desperate plea to keep a cherished ring gifted by her best friend, Cory Haynes, Anderson callously denied her request.

True to her indomitable spirit, Rachel defiantly expressed her desire to walk to her own grave, a final act of defiance. Stepping down into the shallow pit, the cold soil beneath her bare feet, she faced the grim reality awaiting her. In an act of unimaginable cruelty, Anderson ordered her to lie face down in the grave, a heart-wrenching command that shattered the last remnants of hope.

As Rachel knelt in the cold earth, she sought solace in prayer, seeking divine intervention in her darkest hour. But Anderson, devoid of remorse, callously dismissed her pleas, callously assuring her that she would soon be reunited with Cory.

With a chilling disregard for human life, he raised his weapon and unleashed a torrent of bullets, aiming for the back of Rachel's head. The gun jammed momentarily, but with cold determination, he cleared the jam and continued firing until his gun was empty, ending Rachel's life in a most brutal and senseless manner.

Rivas stood by, a witness to the unimaginable, unable or unwilling to intervene. Anderson, the puppet master of this abominable act, commanded his gang to conceal the grave, erasing any trace of their heinous crime.

The Police Investigation into the Murder of Rachel Burkheimer

Despite the gang’s efforts to keep her fate hidden, Rachel Burkheimer was listed as a missing person.

The Burkheimer family rallied together, putting up posters everywhere in Snohomish and King Counties, urging people to come forward with any information about Rachel's whereabouts.

The police aggressively pursued leads, and a breakthrough came when a tip was received from the mother of one of the gang members, Jeffrey Barth. This tip drastically changed the direction of the investigation and led the police to a red Jeep registered to Matthew Durham.

Durham was apprehended by the police, and under the pressure from Sgt. Scot Fenter of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, he quickly cracked. He provided crucial information that led law enforcement to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, where a disturbing discovery awaited them. In the vicinity of Reiter Road, east of Gold Bar, they uncovered a shallow gravesite.

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Durham cooperated with investigators, revealing the harrowing events that unfolded in the garage at the house. He disclosed that Anderson had ordered him to drive his vehicle to a remote location near Reiter Pit, a popular spot for off-road vehicles, and instructed him to proceed down a dirt road.

Durham recounted how Anderson guided him to a designated stopping point. He further shared that Anderson carried the duffel bag into the woods, where Durham could hear ominous commands such as "Get on your knees." The sound of gunshots and flashes followed. Upon their return to the vehicle, Durham was strictly warned never to speak about the horrifying incident, lest he suffer the same fate.

Based on Durham's identification, investigators apprehended the other individuals involved in the gruesome murder, including Rivas, Anderson, and Barth.

In the end, a total of eight individuals were convicted for their roles in Rachel's kidnapping and killing. Anderson received a life sentence, along with another offender. The remaining perpetrators are serving significant prison terms. On May 21, 2004, amidst tears streaming down Anderson's face, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Linda Krese delivered the sentence of "life in prison" without the possibility of parole.

On that tragic day, eight men made choices that disregarded their moral compass, opting for loyalty to a gang. Their actions led to an utterly senseless crime, one that could have been prevented multiple times by multiple individuals.